A bill adding opioid addiction to the state’s policy on mandated treatment received broad support at a public hearing Tuesday.

Nearly 40 other states have similar policies on the books.

This bill would mean those battling an opioid problem could be court ordered into inpatient treatment. Many who testified told the Senate’ Health and Human Services Committee New Hampshire was long overdue in adopting such a policy.

Senator Jeb Bradley is the bill’s prime sponsor.

“We ought to be able to have this tool to help people that are reluctant to seek out help. I don’t think there is any disagreement about that – even in our ‘live free or die’ state," Bradley testified.

But where these people would get treatment and how much it would cost the state is a bigger question. Something Bradley says will have to be worked out in committee.